NHL goalies must cope with failure in just about every game, but even the steeliest netminder would probably be a little flustered by the lows of Marc-Andre Fleury‘s last season.

The position can feel like a lonely one, so it makes sense that the Pittsburgh Penguins have reportedly been asking the 28-year-old to see a sports psychologist. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Fleury agreed to do so this summer.

“Goalie is a delicate position, no different than a golfer or a tennis player: You’re on your own a lot,” Shero said. “I think it’s a good step for him, which he’s really taken seriously since our year-end meeting. It’s kind of like the situation with Matt Cooke in that you can’t just hope you’re going to come back and things are going to be different.

“I saw him and he was suffering, therefore I stopped to assuage his suffering with my care” … Cornelius 14:7

Marc-Andre Fleury is no doubt a ‘good’ person and therefore his appeals for help have now hopefully been answered, God willing. Anyway, it can’t be easy guarding the fort back there all alone, while a bunch of egotistical ‘prima donnas’ like Crosby and Malkin continue to selfishly hog the limelight up front ! … faites-vous attention l’ami et la vitesse de Dieu …

Fluery is absolutely capable of getting back to his 08 and 09 form. Having Scuderi back, a true defensive defenseman back will help on the blue line, our blue line hasn’t been wonderful either, letang worried me with his abuse of pinching so hope those guys do their part to keep the puck out of the net and give fluery more of a chance to regain that form.

I am glad Marc is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He is a major factor in bringing the Penguins third Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh. I can’t stand the fact that fans and media alike throw Fleury under the Zamboni at every opportunity. On a team of under achievers he gets the most blame. He was not in net for that four route in the Eastern Conference finals now was he? For all the amazing firepower on this team, lack of defensive discipline cannot be overlooked. Dan Bylsma won the cup on somebody else’s team and has been bounced(and out coached) out of the playoffs four straight years. Last year was Vokouns turn to feel what its like to be left out to dry be a offense only system. Do I consider Fleury the greatest goalie of all time? No, there is only on Marty Broduer but, i also am unaffraid and aware of the fact that not even Broduer could have succeeded under this system even with the NHL’s two best players.

I think that this can be an effective tool to help Fleury manage his head and keep him focused, especially in high pressure situations. It’s amazing how negative thoughts can be such self-fulfilling prophecies… the mind is wonderful servant but a terrible master.

Even if it can’t help him become a better hockey player, for his sake hopefully it can lead him to at least manage failure better… he looked really down when he got yanked last year.

Marc Andre we still believe in you buddy. Look people dont realize the Penguin cup winning team had the right mix of everything from Defense Scuderi-Gill Orpik-Gonchar Letang-Eaton OFFENSE no need to name them but the big thing was getting Billy Guerin truly the best move Shero made. And since Scuderi and Gill left they had no shutdown pairing in following playoff defeats. Remember Mike camel toe Cammallerri lit them up for 26 goals in 7 games or something to that effect. i am def. not making excuses for fleury he clearly needs to play better but you cant have the right mix lose it then try to replace it with ZBYNEK michalek and paul martin sorry does not work like that

Fleury is very popular with his teammates and possesses a very cool wit. I hope he gets his game back because he is a really great person.

claysbar - Aug 26, 2013 at 9:06 PM

All athletes go through some/many training changes throughout their career. Good for him and quite frankly it’s needed. Just keep in mind folks that between this and the goalie coach change it may be a slow start to the season when it comes to winning so be patient and let this evolve.